Linksys vs. Netgear AC1900 – What is the best choice for an AC1900 router?
Choosing a good router is important. But with so many choices, what should you even go for? Should you go for the seemingly obvious good choice in the Netgear AC1900, or should you try out the new Linksys AC1900?
When searching for a router, you will come across a multitude of types, like the N types, the AC types, and so on. It gets even more confusing – each of these types have different models, which will then have different attributes as they do not behave uniformly.
Among the choices, you might come across the AC1900 types – both which support the 802.11ac standard (hence the AC), and both having a theoretical speed of 1900 Mbps. The actual speeds are quite different though, as our tests reveal, so it is important to choose the router that works best for your own needs and usage.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Linksys and Netgear AC1900 routers?
Linksys AC1900 |
Netgear AC1900 (Winner) |
|
Average throughput speeds |
110 Mbps |
174 Mbps |
Average speeds – Upload (U)/Download (D) |
20 Mbps |
20 Mbps |
Download speeds |
100 Mbps |
90 Mbps |
Ethernet ports |
4 |
5 |
Dimensions (inches) |
9.8 x 7.7 x 2.01 (portable and smaller option) |
13.7 x 10.08 x 3.11 (the bulky, bigger choice) |
Linksys vs. Netgear AC1900 – How they compare
The specs to expect
When you look at the Linksys AC1900, you will notice the many similarities it bears to its predecessor, the Linksys WRT54G. It weighs 2.25 pounds, and measures 1.5 x 10 x 7.5 inches, and uses a dual-band design, just like the Netgear AC1900. It also includes a dual-core processor of 1.2 GHz, 128 MB of flash memory, and 256 MB of RAM. The overall structure is verystrong, even in its external components like the antennas.
The addition of a ventilation system in the Linksys AC1900 is very helpful, as the router tends to get warm, but never hot. The main problem we noticed during testing was the router emitting a strong odor, which smells similar to electronics heating up. Considering the powerful hardware, we can understand the tendency to smell – but it can be off-putting.
In the Netgear AC1900, there are plenty of additions to make in the design. It includes Gigabit WAN ports, buttons for resetting, WPS, and power on/off, as well as a combination eSATA/USB 2.0 port, and a USB 3.0 port. Even though the router is particularly heavy, the good news is that you will find it easy to mount on your ceiling or wall, thanks to the grooves that are on its rubber feet. Its entire casing also has air flow vents to prevent overheating, since all its internal components are built to maximize performance.
Setting up
The Linksys AC1900 comes with a very easy-to-follow startup guide, and a disc that contains plenty of documentation. The process of setting up the router and network were fairly easy as well.
One interesting aspect we note is the LEDs, which are unlike what you get on most routers. They are in a horizontal design, and their shape makes them easy to spot when you are looking at them from across a room. In the best status of the router, the power LED should not be blinking – when it is steady, you can connect the router wirelessly or connect a computer to it through any of its LAN ports.
Performance
The sweet spot of this router’s performance is its 5GHz performance, averaging at 110 Mbps. Its performance in the 2.4GHz band is muchlower though, as it averages 83 Mbps in mixed mode, while it averages 78 Mbps in N-mode. This beats out the Netgear AC1900 average of 69 Mbps.Another impressive point is the range of the Linksys. The reduction in speed between its throughput at 5 feet and 30 feet is only 3%, and the same sustainment of throughput is present in the 2.4GHz band.
The case is slightly different for the R7000, as it is not among the fastest 802.11ac routers in the market, unlike the Linksys AC1900. However, its throughput at its 5GHz band is among the fastest we have seen, and it can sustain this throughput at longer distances. This is primarily because of beam forming.
Our tests, for instance, showed that the throughput is 174 Mbps, which is considered excellent in a crowded environment. Moreover,it tends to show sustainment in throughput results at greater distances overall, which is an area the Linksys AC1900 can improve on.
One surprising area in its performance though, is the 2.4GHz band. While it is fast enough to handle the tasks that you need to do like checking emails and general browsing, its throughput of 69 Mbps at a distance of 15 feet is quite the disappointment and we expected much better from it.
Linksys vs. Netgear AC1900 – A comparison review
Linksys AC1900 – Overview
- 4 High-performance Antennas For Maximum Coverage & Reliability
- 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Simultaneous Dual Wireless Bands For A Strong, Reliable Wi-Fi Signal That Eliminates Dead...
This router is among the most ambitious wireless routers you can get in the market today. Coming in a fairly large design, its price also matches with the big description it carries. However, you do not need to worry much about its performance, it will not let you down, and it also offers additional benefits – like allowing you to flash its firmware through OpenWRT software, very good range in its 2.4GHz band, great QoS, and well-designed remote management and access.
Pros
- Has very powerful range and performance
- Firmware is flushable through the OpenWRT software
- It has very good throughput speeds when you are using it with a second router as a bridge
- Very easy setup and management
- The QoS feature reduces the time it takes to buffer videos
Cons
- Very expensive
- Tends to run warm
- When it operates, it emits a noticeable electrical smell
- You cannot set its 5GHz band to an 802.11ac-only mode
Netgear AC1900 – Overview
- Compatible with Amazon Echo/Alexa/Google Assistant – Control your home network using voice commands
- AC1900 WiFi—600+1300 Mbps speeds
There are plenty of things to love about the Netgear Ac1900, which include the innovative design and 5GHz performance. Along with its NAS capability and VPN support, these will cover for its weaknesses on the 2.4GHz band and problems with its bridge mode.
One thing to note though is that Netgear is in the process of adding the beam forming feature to the 2.4GHz band (the current setup is the beam forming feature on the 5GHz band), which might help to increase its speed in future models. With that in mind, we will not dismiss the Netgear AC1900 yet just because of its 2.4GHz performance, as its 5GHz band is more than enough to sort out most of your needs.
Pros
- The throughput at 5GHz is great
- Very good range
- Attractive design
Cons
- The performance on the 2.4GHz band is weak
- Bridge mode is confusing, especially for beginners
Verdict: So what is better? The Linksys or Netgear AC1900?
We could have chosen the Linksys AC1900 because of the speed factor, but its price can be a hindrance for you when making a choice, despite its good performance. Therefore, we choose the Netgear AC1900 as the best choice between these two, as it offers a much more reliable performance in the long term, gives you good 5GHz performance, and also comes at an affordable price.
FAQs
Should I update my Linksys Ac1900 router?
Generally no – as it is not recommended to update your firmware through Wi-Fi. This is because it can risk permanent damage. The best way to do it if your default browser does not work is through using another computer or browser.
What is the purpose of the USB port on my Netgear AC1900?
As with all Netgear routers, the USB port serves as a point to connect USB storage devices like hard drives and flash drives.
